Oregon Chancellor worries about affordability

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) — The interim chancellor of the Oregon University system says she’s worried that continuous tuition increases are going to stop enrollment growth at Oregon’s public universities.

Melody Rose tells the Albany Democrat-Herald that Oregon universities are hitting what she calls the “elasticity of demand.” So far tuition increases averaging 6 percent a year over the past decade haven’t seemed to affect demand. But there are signs that is about to change.

One of those signs is the mounting problem of student debt.

Rose says it’s time for schools and the state of Oregon to try harder to address the issues of affordability.

A few efforts show some promise, like online education and a plan to help high school students earn more college credit.